Chapter 18

Ser Parzival was in his work study when Aymeri arrived. In all the excitement of finding the letters and Jorlyn discovering the secret staircase, she had forgotten all about meeting with him and the royal council to rewrite the laws of the kingdom. Before that, though, there were so many questions she needed answered.

Her anklets tinkled as she entered the room and sat down. She crossed one leg over the other and smoothed out her turquoise anhari as she did so.

"I was just going to send for you so we could discuss the changes you requested to make before we speak as a united front with the royal council." Ser Perzival leaned forward on his desk and folded his hands.

"It is crucial we discuss those matters, but there are other pressing matters we must discuss beforehand."

"Is everything alright, Princess?"

"Queen," Aymeri corrected. As much as she respected him, it was important for him to address her as such so everyone would remember her new status. She did not leave room for him to apologize before she spoke again. "I am here to discuss other matters first, Ser Parzival."

"Oh?" He arched a brow.

"I am growing quite concerned. There are so many things happening around the castle. There should be people and things I remember, but I don't. It's almost as if my childhood memories have ceased to exist."

The older gentleman sat back in his seat and crossed one leg over the other. His gray tunic bunching as he did so. His stormy eyes bore into hers. She had never seen him so serious. "Do you understand what you are insinuating?"

"That I can't remember important events in my life?"

The royal advisor's tone was cold when he spoke. "What is this nonsense you are speaking, Aymeri? How can your memories cease to exist?"

"I can't remember anything from my childhood except Father's death and recurring events. Did you know King Drystan and his parents visited the castle after his passing?"

The royal advisor shook his head in disbelief. "Aymeri, so many royals have come and gone from this castle, do you expect me to remember all of them?"

Actually, yes . His was the highest position in the castle, just below the queen and heirs. It was his responsibility to ensure the royal family's safety. "Isn't that part of your job? You're supposed to keep records of personal and political relations, are you not?"

She didn't miss how he suddenly looked uncomfortable as if he were caught doing something he shouldn't have been. "Well, yes, but…"

The queen sat straight up in her chair now, her anklets jangling as her feet hit the floor. "But what?"

He tugged at the high collar of a tunic and took a deep breath. "Aymeri, you're asking me to think back so many years ago. How would I remember that?"

"The same way you remembered the names of everyone who was present here on the day of my mother's funeral. You had no issue remembering who you introduced me to. You had no issue telling me the King of Bréīn was here to see me, and that I couldn't just tell him to wait."

Aymeri paused for a second to get her emotions under control. One more outburst and she knew the fire within her would tear through this room.

"Were you or were you not aware that King Drystan and his parents often visited us following Father's death?"

Ser Parzival's eyes darkened and she knew instantly that he was angry with her. So be it. She needed answers and she was going to get them any way she possibly could.

"Yes. Yes, it is true. He and his parents came quite often after your father passed."

"Then why can't I remember any of it? He seems to remember it all too well and here I am, foolishly thinking I have never met this man before in my life when he knows and feels in his heart that we were close friends. Would you care to explain how this is possible, Ser Parzival?"

He stood up and turned his back to her, keeping a tight grip on the high back of his dark chair. He was holding something back from her, she was sure of it.

"There are things that cannot be explained, Aymeri. Things I am forbidden to speak about lest they unrest your mother and keep her soul wandering this castle. It is best you let this go."

A derisive snort spilled out of her. "Let this go? How do you suppose I do that when I am missing valuable pieces of my life! How is this even possible?"

Ser Parzival sighed, his back still toward her. "You are right. There is something large at play here, Aymeri. I advised your mother to let it all go and she wouldn't and I fear she has reached her death because of it."

She stood and crossed the room, tugging at her advisor's shoulder. "Why was my mother murdered?"

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

"Try me," she demanded.

He turned toward her, stormy clouds clouding his eyes making them seem darker than ever. "All of those stories your mother told you of magick, they are real. Sentinel Yuria was your ancestor. Your mother was the last one to guard all the magick. We kept begging her to release it back into the world, to let the people have their magick again but she refused."

"Who is ‘we'?"

"Everyone in the castle. We wanted the world the way it was before. Your mother felt that there was too big a risk in doing so. That the dark magick would infect everyone again."

"And? Was she right?"

"I am afraid so." Ser Parzival sat back in his chair, defeated. "Upon her death, without your knowledge to absorb the magick from her, it has been unleashed on the world. Creatures are fighting again. War is coming to our doorsteps. If I know Queen Dimia as much as I think I do, she will stop at nothing to tear this kingdom to the ground."

So he knew. All along, her Royal Advisor knew everything her mother didn't think he knew and he refused to say anything to her. What good was an advisor who held secrets? Who did nothing to protect her?

"Then the attack on my life?"

"The girl says she was hired by Queen Dimia to poison you so you would never be able to control the powers. You are the last Sentinel, Aymeri. If you do not reign in the dark magick, it will be a disaster for not just Dramolux, but for the rest of the world."

How am I supposed to do that? It had been weeks since her mother's death. How will I even begin to find the dark magick, and who is able to summon it? And which magick is considered light or dark?

Ser Parzival had no answers to these questions, of course, and all he could do was direct her to the castle's library. It was worth a try, but she had a feeling it was too little, too late.